A newly launched dress got familiar

Though we’ve forever been proponents of the little guys, it’s never been more important to highlight buzzy, new designers than it is right now. In our current economy, support is in high demand for small brands. So if you’re in a position to shop, our list of 19 up-and-coming designers is the perfect place to start the hunt for creative, cool pieces that are anything but standard fare. From gender-fluid collections, a fresh a take on shirting, and brands that leverage artisanal Nigerian textiles to kilts gone high fashion, and minimal standouts, the following designers are the gems you’re going to want to keep on your radar going into 2021.

Kenneth Ize is a Lagos-born designer who melds a modern eye with an artisanal approach. He works with a small community of weavers and a variety of artisan and design groups across the country to create collections that leverage stripes, color, and traditional Nigerian fabrications for smart, cool separates. As the designer told  earlier this year, “The work that I’m trying to do speaks to freedom. It speaks justice. And it also speaks to intelligence.”